This is my fist post I love the muzzleloaders era and I am a civil war reenactor and been doin for 5 season so I'm not new to the black powder firearms but the era before the civil I sm new and I really don't know where to start at I'm doin research on which era I want to go for I like the longhunter of the rev war and after but they wasn't in my area which is west north of Memphis and fairy close to the Mississippi river and the mountain man era wasn't either I'm jus looking for a point in the right direction thank

try finding a local unit that is based in local history. Nail down time, place, etc first, then start using primary docs such as newspaper abstracts, inventories, period descriptions ,etc to build your persona.

I talk to my local historian and he said there wasn't anything here from like 1682 til 1820 and there isn't any club or anything that I know of but there's a mountain men long rifle club so I'm goin to explore them out thanks

The Mississippi was French until around 1763 and there are some units that go to Fort DeChartres, near St. Louis on a regular basis. Try contacting the Fort and they can supply you with contact information.

it really depends on what you want to do. If it's a military persona look long and hard in the area. If you just want to be in the woods , hunting , scouting etc. Build your persona around your interests. Where I live is filled with historical sites, grave yards, etc from the 18th century so building a local persona attached to a site is easy. I know people in the area that doa rifleman persona even though it doesn't fit . Why ? that's what they like. Whatever you do , research then buy not the other way around. Don't just get what people "who have been in the hobby since 74" have. If you really want to represent our heritage research , shop around, ask questions, etc then buy.

I am wanting to do hunting and scouting I do civil war reenactment so I want something more relaxing and more hunting I'm try of shooting blanks lol so I'm interested in the long hunter era from during and after the rev war I'm just getting my feet wet so any advice would be great lol

Jared,
All of the replies to your request are spot on. May I suggest your local library to see if they have any of Mark Baker's books on the self. Same goes for John Curry. If not, ask for a library to library book loan. Hopefully you will hit pay dirt.

_________________"Most people are birds in gilded cages. They are fed every day, their newspaper is changed, and they can see the television from their perch. They cannot fathom why those stupid wild birds outside the window, alone against the elements, fending for themselves, would not want to be safe and secure inside a nice comfortable cage just like them." - Me

I agree with Stophel… I am in CA and we do various forms of Kentucky settler, land speculator/surveyor, market hunter, militia---even a jumped ship sailor impression-- doing this of course in the Mtns and Forests of central and northern CA.

There are a lot of options other than long hunter that roamed the frontier…

My ancestors were in Kentucky around 1775 doing land speculating and then moved back east and north to fight in the War (8th PA rifleman with Morgans)… then returned just before the war ended and hooked up with GR Clark and his VA boys. He eventually settled in KY and then Indiana when that area opened up…But during their lifetimes, they traveled between Kentucky and their family lands in VA/Maryland fairly often if I recall. Plenty of excuses to be in the woods….

You might find it worth your while to come to visit the Fort during the April Trade Faire. This year it will be held on April 5 and 6. While this is a juried event and only participants will be allowed to be there in juried 18th century attire, visitors (in modern clothes) are welcome to attend. This is good place to meet people who are active in 18th century longhunter reenactment.

Perhaps a bit closer to your home is Fort Massac near Metropolis IL. Fort Massac hosts a F&I War Encampment on May 10 and 11.

Jrbaker, I too am a refugee from CW... I burned out about 5 years ago and paddled a canoe into the 18th century. It left no trail to follow to return to CW.

Keep in mind that even after Fort de Chartres, Kaskaskia, etc. were turned over to the British in 1763 many French inhabitants remained there and the British military didn't make it out until 1768 because of the pesky Pontiac and his rebellion... ;) That being said French is not the only way you have to go. The market hunters of Bayton, Wharton and Morgan hunted out of Kaskaskia. They ranged far and wide. As far as c(lose to Nashville) Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, and Missouri.

I am just getting back into this after an 18 year hiatus, Used to do lots of trekking in the 90S In 18th century gear. TVM will have my rifle finished around the end of July so I will be ready to hit the trail then. Just making stuff now like mocs, possibles bag, leggings, longhunter shirts etc, Would like to have some trekking partners and paddling partners however my canoe is not period correct. Would like to hear from like minded trekkers or clubs in
the Springfield, MO area. Thanks

I live in Cecil County, Maryland and have done Civil War Reenacting myself some years ago. Since then, I was diagnosed with cancer and that has slowed me down a good bit from reenacting. Historic Trekking, although new to me, seemed to be a perfect fit.
I am a hunter safety instructor and one of only 4 or 5 Trapping Instructors for the State of Maryland. Black powder is a natural progression fir me and as I'm stuck in my house because of cancer, I decided to transform some of my yard for hunting and trapping. I'm in the process of building a shooting table for my side/back yard. I have pretty much transformed my life into historic trekking. It's not just a weekend thing for me, but at the same time, I'm still growing.
If there is anyone in the Cecil County area that wants to talk and possibly get together, send me a message.